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PET processors and recyclers, as well as molders of large parts from materials that may attract moisture, have a number of new and highly cost-effective options:

Expand a drying hopper’s capacity after installation;

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• Convert a drying hopper to a PET crystallizer after installation;

• Expand the crystallizer’s capacity at a later date.

These novel capabilities are afforded by a new development from Wittmann Battenfeld, Inc., Torrington, Conn. The company is just now introducing a totally modular drying hopper/crystallizer that was conceived, designed, and built entirely by the U.S. operation of the Austrian Wittmann Group.

This development was revealed exclusively to Plastics Technology at Wittmann’s October Open House and Innovations Workshop in Torrington. According to Michael Stark, divisional manager for material handling and auxiliaries, this development reflects the company’s desire to push more strongly into blow molding and extrusion.

Nicholas Paradiso, engineering manager for that division, points out that the modular units also have potential applications in hot-air drying for large injection molded parts of polyolefins, such as auto bumpers or fascias, that require removal of surface moisture from pellets or preheating the pellets for more uniform processing.

EXPANDABLE & CONVERTIBLE
Paradiso explains that the building-block concept of the new units starts with the base cone, a 500-liter section that is welded to the base frame. The legs can be removed or extended as needed to accommodate gaylord fill height or mezzanine mounting. The base cone contains an internal process-air diffuser that is bolted in, rather than welded as is typical in the industry, so that it can be removed if the system is later converted to a crystallizer.

On top of the base cone is a bolted 1500 L cylindrical section with an access door; and more 1500 L sections that are identical, except for lacking the door, can be bolted on top of that as needed. Total capacity can thereby be customized from 2000 to 5000 L for throughput capacities up to 6000 lb/hr or more. The bolt-on sections can be added after initial installation, unlike typical welded hopper construction.

Equally unusual, the modular hopper can be converted at any time to a crystallizer by adding an agitator insert in modular units and a gear motor sized for the variable agitator length. The agitator arms have a self-coupling connection to the shaft. The universal hopper lid is built to accommodate the gear motor.

Paradiso notes a number of other special features and benefits:

Modularity makes the system both very cost-competitive and quick to ship, because the components can be produced for stock.

The hopper or crystallizer can ship in sections on standard pallets, instead of requiring a special side-loading truck to transport a fully assembled, welded unit. The units come fully insulated as standard—including the base cone, “which is rare,” Paradiso says.

All cylindrical sections above the base cone have a sight glass, which allows proximity level sensors to be installed on the whole hopper.

New, larger line heating elements can be bolted on at two different locations—either in the usual position on the back, or at a 45° angle, which allows it to fit within the leg footprint.

The preceding feature, as well as overall modularity, facilitate installation of the unit in tight spaces.

All cable ways are internally located within the insulation layer, hidden from view, yet accessible if needed.

Non-lubricated graphite bearing sections to hold the agitator shaft can be added to any cylindrical module.

Wittmann has enlisted a partner company to design and build mezzanines. Modular construction eliminates need for a rigging company to install the hopper/crystallizer with a mezzanine.

Paradiso also notes that Wittmann designed and engineered these systems with the aid of 3D-printed scale models. They were filled with actual PET regrind flake and a 3D printed agitator with a small motor was used to measure and graph the curve of motor torque vs. agitator length in order to size gear motors for the full-scale system. Wittmann also used the scale models to design the oil-free bearings to support the necessary weight, torque, and temperature. “With this help, we were able to design the agitator with a three-fold safety factor and select motors with a two-fold safety factor.”